Clemson Football: 5 keys for successful 2019 season

Clemson football finds itself in a position few teams understand heading into 2019, defending a national championship title. Here’s how it can repeat.

After announcing their arrival as the new king of college football by convincingly beating down Alabama for the 2018 national championship, Clemson enters the 2019 season with expectations of a repeat.

Those expectations have strong foundations. Clemson returns perhaps the best quarterback in the country (and maybe a top-15 quarterback in the NFL). Skill players are plenteous, the offensive line looks ready to shine again and the defense has retooled with top-rated talent.

Not only is Clemson one of the most talented teams in the country with one of the best coaches in the country, they also play in perhaps the weakest power-five conference in college football. There’s Clemson and everyone else in the ACC, and the gulf between the two is nearly infinite.

Dabo Swinney, however, won’t be satisfied with the laurels from years past or become complacent with his team’s myriad of talent. Swinney knows that each season brings with its dawn unique challenges and steep hurdles no matter how much talent is found on the roster or how easy the schedule may appear.

“Best is the standard” is Clemson’s self-given mission statement. If the Tigers plan to live up to their own expectations, let alone the pressure from fans and media, they must continue to improve and innovate.

Here’s five areas where they should focus.